Neuropsychology Central

[Mrs. Kingsley]

How do I get a referral to a neuropsychologist for a NLD test or evaluation? I suspect my son suffers from NLD and not ADHD. The more I read about NLD the more I feel they are using my son as an example for all the symptoms of NLD. He was diagnosed with ADHD when the pediatrician at Bethesda Naval Hospital ruled out Asperger's symdrome. I was never satisfied with the ADHD diagnosis. He is in the fourth grade and is like he has hit a brick wall. He is 10 years old and cannot tie his shoes, his handwriting is unreadable, his memory is incredible to the point of being scary, has no coordination (didn't to well in karate class due to it) to name just a few problems.

I have asked for a meeting with his teacher (back in public school after two and a half years of home schooling).

Thank you for your help

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Mrs. Kingsley

[mertel]

My daughter also has undiagnosed NVLD. She is 16 and we recently had her tested for ADHD. I guess the point I will try to make is this; does it really matter if you have a diagnosis of NVLD or not? I mean, the reality is that we need to treat the symptoms, whatever the diagnosis.

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Strattera, which has helped her 90% with executive functioning skills. In regards to the tying shoes, riding a bike, hand writing, etc. We had to just work with her and find a good OT who could also help her to master these skills.

I hope your son has an IEP in place in the school system to address his learning problems, whether they be executive functioning or other. The school MUST provide him with the help he needs if his "disability" affects his ability to learn. We have learned the hard way, but now I do not back down from the "professionals" at school. Know your rights (look up Wright's Law) and get an advocate if necessary. The NVLD will only get worse as he gets older, or at least this is what we have experienced.

We have learned to ask for certain things within the school:
1. All core classes in the a.m. (by afternoon, she has checked out!!!)
2. Resource room (study hall-type) the last hour of the day.
3. Inclusion classes whenever possible (2 teachers in the room)
4. Weekly grade reports/missing assignments, etc.
5. Set of books at home and set in each classroom.
6. Color coding books, notebooks, etc (red/math, blue/english).
7. "Safe place" for when she has a melt down and needs to separate herself to get it together before returning to class.
8. Schedule on her bulletin board at home for each day and what is to be done/when.

These things have worked for us and her grades/self-esteem have improved. She will always struggle with this issue, but at least she doesn't feel like a failure in the classroom.